X3 is not about glorious endings but about humble beginnings. Anything can be achieved if the player works towards it but how challenging that can be is often decided within the first 24 hours of gameplay and that is determined by what starting scenario the player chooses.
Starting Scenarios
Argon Peacekeeper
Starting Ship(s): Nova prototype (M3)
Starting Equipment/Wares: 4x 25MJ Shield, 40x Energy Cells, 4x HEPT, 2x PAC, Boost Extension, Duplex Scanner, Fight Command Software, Jumpdrive, SETA, Video Enhancement Goggles, 13x Engine Tuning, 7x Rudder Optimisation and 78x Cargo Bay Extension
Starting Credits: 30,000
Start Locations: Argon Sector M418,
Starting Race Ranks: Argon +9(L), Boron +2, Paranid 0, Split 0, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF -4, Goner +3
Unlock Requirements: None
Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Commonwealth Main Plot begins immediately
Fastest Unlock Method: None
Hints/Comments: It is advisable to follow the Commonwealth Main Plot until the player gets a Centaur M6 while playing defensively in Argon owned warzones can bring in a lot of credits from the police licence by killing wounded Terran ships.
Terran Commander
Starting Ship(s): Katana (M6)
Starting Equipment/Wares: 2x 200 MJ Shield, 10x EMPC, Boost Extension, Jumpdrive, SETA, Triplex Scanner, Video Enhancement Goggles, 10x Engine Tuning, 6x Rudder Optimisation and 300x Cargo Bay Extension
Starting Credits: 200,000
Start Locations: Venus
Starting Race Ranks: Argon -5, Boron -1, Paranid -1, Split -1, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF +3, Goner 0
Unlock Requirements: None
Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Operation Final Fury at Fight Rank of Professional
Fastest Unlock Method: None
Hints/Comments: If there is not a Jump Beacon in Mars, Jupiter 2 and within 1 sector of Saturn consider starting again as those will be problematic in the long run (universal traders will try and shortcut through the blacklisted warzones). The challenge of this starting scenario is the large distances between stations in Terran sectors and the isolation caused by the warzones and the Xenon sectors while the low Argon Race Rank means Rapid Response ships will make travel through argon sectors difficult at the start. The warzones in Asteroid Belt and Jupiter can at times cut off the supply of wares to Mars, Venus, Mercury and The Moon making Venus a good place to build early factories (Flavour Pack, MRE and Vita Kai producing ones recommended). Using a Baldric TS early on in quiet moments also helps supplement early income. Warzones seem to start with a surplus of ships on the Argon side that wears thin with time making passage easier (Omicron Lyrae can still be a M2/M7/M8/M6 infested death trap). The player has two options, either try and befriend the Argon which requires sneaking past Omicron Lyrae or through the Xenon sectors to Grand Exchange (easier at lower Fight Rank) or to take up the role of the starting scenario and pirate the argon fighting your way out. Irrelevant of the option the player chooses set all player ship turrets to Missile Defence.
Getting a Valkyrie (M5) or Springblossom (M6) is recommended for busting out, although, it is possible but unlikely to get to Nyana's Hideout by making a large arc around the edge of the sector in Omicron Lyrae. Alternatively the player can wait until the warfront moves and the War Reports say "We have a lot of Argon ships in Omicron Lyrae. Wipe them out!". Do missions for the other Races so more missions are offered by bases of that race and head to Getsu Fune to repair the Argon Race Rank. Use the other Race Equipment Docks for Fight type missions (careful with the Split as that can be bad for Yaki reputation) to generate enemies of the Argon to kill. Also kill any Xenon coming through the North gate (not common at lower Fight Ranks). Once Argon like the player, this starting scenario is not very challenging.
If the player wishes to join the war then getting M/A-MLs will allow for more efficient killing of ships. Just be careful as killing Argon ships in Argon sectors also lowers the Boron Race Rank of the player. As the ship starts with insufficient shielding to survive heavier missiles (enemy fighters love to spam 1 million damage Hammerhead Missiles at the player while encountering an M8 can be deadly) stay among friendly fleets salvaging any wares that drop and upgrade shielding as a priority. Trade salvaged missiles from larger battles (make sure the Terran side is winning) for Wraith Missiles. Use the Wraith Missiles to kill Argon Rapid Response M7 ships (10 is enough to instantly kill a Rapid Response M7 and saving beforehand to manipulate drops helps) to get several 4+ star marines. With a corvette or TP full of marines the player can start boarding Argon TLs (Montelaar is good) for an accelerated start. Capturing a Minotaur early on is also possible if the player can capture a ship with Ion Disrupters but not easy.
Argon Patriot
Starting Ship(s): Elite (M4)
Starting Equipment/Wares: 2x 5MJ Shield, 4x PAC, Boost Extension, SETA, Duplex Scanner, Video Enhancement Goggles, 9x Engine Tuning, 5x Rudder Optimisation and 24x Cargo Bay Extension
Starting Credits: 1,823
Start Locations: Omicron Lyrae
Starting Race Ranks: Argon +3(L), Boron 2, Paranid -1, Split 0, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF -1, Goner +3
Unlock Requirements: None
Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418
Fastest Unlock Method: None
Hints/Comments: The player starts out in a less durable ship compared to the Argon Peacekeeper starting scenario but does not start out as enemies with the Terrans. The potential to salvage missiles from the warzones offsets the comparatively smaller starting funds. Use the salvaged missiles to gain Argon Race Rank by selling them and get onto the Stock Exchange in PTNI Headquarters for the fastest start.
Humble Merchant
Starting Ship(s): Discoverer (M5) and Mercury (TS)
Starting Equipment/Wares: Discoverer: 2x 1MJ Shield, SETA and 2x Engine Tuning
Mercury: 5MJ Shield, SETA, 5x Engine Tuning and 5x Rudder Optimisation
Starting Credits: 9,543
Start Locations: Herron's Nebula,
Starting Race Ranks: Argon 0, Boron +3, Paranid -1, Split -1, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF -1, Goner +3
Unlock Requirements: None
Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418
Fastest Unlock Method: None
Hints/Comments: Player starts with a TS for trading and an M5 for scouting but minimal shielding and no weapons making it a priority to avoid hostile ships early on. As the Mercury is the largest source of income early on upgrade it first and get a Trade System Extension.
Bankrupt Assassin
Starting Ship(s): Mamba (M3)
Starting Equipment/Wares: 25MJ Shield, 2x HEPT, Boost Extension, Duplex Scanner, Fight Command Software MK1, Fight Command Software MK2, Navigation Command Software MK1, SETA, Video Enhancement Goggles, 15x Engine Tuning and 7x Rudder Optimisation
Starting Credits: 0
Start Locations: Aladna Hill,
Starting Race Ranks: Argon 0, Boron -4, Paranid -4, Split 0, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF -1, Goner +3
Unlock Requirements: None
Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418
Fastest Unlock Method: None
Hints/Comments: Periodic pirate M5s will spawn at the nearest Jump Gate and attack. The HEPTS allow good damage early on but the lack of accuracy can be problematic when engaging M5 ships. Avoid taking on more than one enemy at a time until a second 25MJ shield is purchased. Only kill Boron outside Argon sectors and Paranid outside of Split sectors. Killing Boron and Paranid weapon dealers can be a good way to improve the firepower of the starting ship. Head to the warzones and salvage missiles along the way to remedy the credits problem.
Tormented Teladi
Starting Ship(s): Harrier Hauler (M5)
Starting Equipment/Wares: 1MJ SHield, 2x IRE, Boost Extension, Duplex Scanner, SETA, 4x Engine Tuning, 6x Rudder Optimisation and 81x Cargo Bay Extension
Starting Credits: 1,914
Start Locations: Acquisition Repository, Sanctity of Corruption or Tears of Greed
Starting Race Ranks: Argon 0, Boron 0, Paranid 0, Split -1, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF 0, Goner 0
Unlock Requirements: Trade Rank of Petty Financier (15)
Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Retreiving Your Ship! and Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418
Fastest Unlock Method: Use stock market manipulation of wares with a low cargo volume and high production rate like Space Fuel to buy and sell shares at a profit to drive up the player Trade Rank
Hints/Comments: A challenging start due to the limitations of the starting ship. Salvage missiles from the warzones for starting capital before using Stock Exchanges for the easiest start. Completion of the starting mission gives an otherwise unobtainable ship (Enhanced Kea)
Poisoned Paranid
Starting Ship(s): Demeter Hauler (TS)
Starting Equipment/Wares: 2x 25MJ Shield, IRE, 4x Figher Drone, Boost Extension, Duplex Scanner, Fight Command Software MK1, SETA, 7x Engine Tuning, 6x Rudder Optimisation and 1,501x Cargo Bay Extension
Starting Credits: 7,863
Start Locations: Preacher's Refuge or Heaven's Assertion
Starting Race Ranks: Argon -1, Boron 0, Paranid -3, Split 0, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF -1, Goner 0
Unlock Requirements: Beat the Tormented Teladi Retreiving Your Ship! mission successfully
Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Obtaining the Cure! and Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418
Fastest Unlock Method: Salvage missiles from the warzones for starting capital before using Stock Exchanges and stock market manipulation
Hints/Comments: The player starts in hostile territory with the quickest route to safety being the gate to their right (East). As the starting TS ship is slow it cannot outrun or outfight enemies so if military patrols, a Hyperion Vanguard, an M7M or just a lot of border patrol fighters spawns in the starting sector all the player can do is kiss their rear goodbye (up to 66% of starts). The starting scenario puts the player on a knife edge which causes a single hostile action against Paranid ships to send the player to -4 Paranid Race Rank that will send even any escort fighters into a homicidal frenzy in all sectors. If the player does not make a clean escape from the starting sector/has to use fighter drones then restart until docked safely at a station in the neighbouring sector. The starting ship has a good volume of cargo capacity enabling the player to trade on the way to the warzones. It is even possible to get on the Boron Stock exchange within 3 sectors of starting. Trade in Nyana's Hideout until able to pass through the warzones. Otherwise salvage missiles from the warzones for starting capital before using Stock Exchanges and eventually stock market manipulation. Due to the exponential growth of income and having 6x the time limit, the starting mission for this starting scenario is easier than the Tormented Teladi one. For completion of the mission the player gets a potentially overtuned Hyperion Vanguard and Advanced Perseus but such ships can be created in any starting scenario using Pandora Tunings on a boarded Hyperion Vanguard.
Unholy Traitor
Starting Ship(s): Medusa Prototype (M3+)
Starting Equipment/Wares: 5MJ Shield, 6x PBE, 2x PAC, Boost Extension, Duplex Scanner, SETA, Video Enhancement Goggles, 4x Engine Tuning, 4x Rudder Optimisation and 71x Cargo Bay Extension
Starting Credits: 23,201
Start Locations: Tharaka's Sun, Tkr's Deprivation, Contorted Dominion, Family Pride, Kingdom's End(!) and Family Rhonkar
Starting Race Ranks: Argon 0, Boron 0, Paranid -5, Split -5, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF -1, Goner 0
Unlock Requirements: Fight Rank of Specialist (16) and Split Race Rank of Privileged Associate of Rhonkar (+7)
Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418
Fastest Unlock Method: Fly an M7M into Zyarth's Dominion and flatten all spawning Xenon
Hints/Comments: Constantly growing waves of Paranid M5 ships will spawn from the nearest Jump Gate and attack for 15 waves of pain. The lack of shielding and poor WSAD speed of the player ship makes dogfighting hard so when 4 or more Paranid M5s attack hull damage is likely. Try and dodge any military or police patrols although players might be lucky and not have any spawn in the sectors between them and safety. The Contorted Dominion start offers the shortest route to a friendly sector but the player will have to constantly intercept Tempest missiles being fired from the Large Orbital Weapons Platform. The Kingdom's End start is the easiest but the player will still have to head South to Three Worlds to find a station to dock at. It is advisable to put the PACs onto the turrets. Dock at a friendly base and save before using the station to keep enemy fighters away (The Military Oupost in Faded Dreams is good) and use the repair laser to patch up the player ship. The last several waves will consist of 6 ships so try to avoid losing any more equipment and weapons. After the last wave save again. Aim to get a better shield. If the player started in Tkr's Deprivation the Boron region is a dead end so the player will have to backtrack with a better shield and more engine tunings. The main strength of the Medusa Prototype (which is unique to this starting scenario) is the ability to wield Firestorm Torpedoes and Typhoon Missiles so getting Argon and Teladi Race Rank is a priority. As both the Split and Paranid already hate the player piracy of TS ships from both can give Boron and Argon reputation and wares to act as starting capital. Do not overtune the starting ship since it needs to be reverse engineered for use on M1 ships as a bomber. Most of the excitement of this starting scenario occurs within the first hour of gameplay.
Teladi Trafficker
Starting Ship(s): Vulture (TS)
Starting Equipment/Wares: 5MJ Shield, SETA, 20x Cargo Bay Extension
Starting Credits: 12,693
Start Locations: Seizewell
Starting Race Ranks: Argon 0, Boron +2, Paranid 0, Split 0, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF -1, Goner 0
Unlock Requirements: Teladi Race Rank of Teladi Company Owner (+7)
Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418
Fastest Unlock Method: Kill Xenon in Grand Exchange or do Random Missions for Teladi
Hints/Comments: The player starting ship comes damaged so repairing it with a the Repair Laser of the Space Suit is recommended to increase the speed. The poor shielding and lack of weapon or Fighter Drones means it is a priority to avoid any pirates early on. The slow pace of the starting ship makes heavy use of the SETA recommended. Next to the risk of faster ships tailgating the player ship at Jump Gates this slow paced starting scenario offers little challenge especially if the first stop is the Seizewell Stock Exchange. For the sake of player sanity purchase Engine Tunings and a Boost Extension as a priority.
Savage Split
Starting Ship(s): Jaguar (M5)
Starting Equipment/Wares: 2x 1MJ Shield, 2x PAC, 1x Needle, SETA, 25x Engine Tuning, 3x Rudder Optimisation and 20x Cargo Bay Extension
Starting Credits: 1,400
Start Locations: Family Pride
Starting Race Ranks: Argon -4, Boron -4, Paranid 0, Split 0, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF -1, Goner -3
Unlock Requirements: Fight Rank of Specialist (16)
Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418
Fastest Unlock Method: Fly an M7M into a busy Xenon sector and wreck the place
Hints/Comments: the player starts in an agile but not very durable ship meaning any combat should focus on evasion and never against multiple opponents. Interestingly the ship has a copy of the hard to obtain Needle missile which is probably best sold for starting capital. The hostility to the Argon prevents the safe salvaging of missiles in the warzone unless on the Terran side. Due to the Argon Race Rank bordering on -3 recommended that the player starts to try and become neutral with the Argon by killing Pirates and Xenon M5 ships in Getsu Fune (or in Albion Gamma if a Pirate Base spawned). As the player is hostile to the Boron consider raiding their TS ships for starting capital and TS ships.
Anonymous Argon
Starting Ship(s): Discoverer (M5)
Starting Equipment/Wares: 1MJ Shield, SETA, 6x Engine Tuning
Starting Credits: 2,500
Start Locations: Argon Prime
Starting Race Ranks: Argon 0, Boron +3, Paranid -1, Split -1, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF -1, Goner +3
Unlock Requirements: Argon Race Rank of Accepted Adviser (+4)
Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418
Fastest Unlock Method: Kill Paranid ships in Argon Space or Xenon in Getsu Fune or do random missions for Argon
Hints/Comments: The starting ship is unarmed and lightly shielded making combat impossible however it has a medium cargo class enabling it to do profitable taxi and personnel transportation missions. Get a Cargo Lifesupport from the Pirate base in Atreus' Clouds and start upgrading the capacity of the cargo bay. Salvaging missiles in the warzone is also an alternative for getting starting capital. Salvaged missiles can also be used to help weaken NPC TS ships for other pieces of equipment and maybe a free ship.
Boring Boron
Starting Ship(s): Octopus (M5)
Starting Equipment/Wares: 1MJ Shield, SETA, 2x Engine Tuning
Starting Credits: 2,000
Start Locations: Kingdom End,
Starting Race Ranks: Argon 0, Boron +3, Paranid -4, Split -4, Teladi 0, Terran/ATF 0, Goner 0
Unlock Requirements: Trade Rank of Petty Financier (15)
Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418
Fastest Unlock Method: Use stock market manipulation of wares with a low cargo volume and high production rate like Space Fuel to buy and sell shares at a profit to drive up the player Trade Rank
Hints/Comments: The challenge of this start is that the starting ship is not good for anything but scouting and lacks the cargo class to do Taxi missions and lacks the cargo space to make profit from anything but salvaging missiles and Scan Asteroid missions. To complicate things further by having both the Paranid and Split willing to shoot the player on sight the player is forced to travel via sectors owned by the Pirates and Xenon to get to the warzone. It is recommended to trade Energy Cells singly to boost Argon Race Rank to +1 so access to the warzone is granted. The high prevalence of Strong Arms fighters also makes travel dangerous. Fortunately both the Paranid and Split are close to -3 Race Rank so having a Wheat Farm L and Space Fuel Distillery L complex in Hatikvah's Faith selling at 350 credits will soon solve the reputation problems.
Pious Paranid
Starting Ship(s): Demeter (TS)
Starting Equipment/Wares: 2x 1MJ Shield, SETA, 2x Engine Tuning
Starting Credits: 3.633
Start Locations: Paranid Prime
Starting Race Ranks: Argon -1, Boron -1, Paranid 0, Split 0, Teladi -1, Terran/ATF -1, Goner -1
Unlock Requirements: Fight Rank of Specialist (16)
Scenario Misson/Available Plots: Commonwealth Main Plot when Argon Race Rank is +4, Terran Race Rank is <0 and the player is in Argon Sector 418
Fastest Unlock Method: Fly an M7M into a busy Xenon sector and wreck the place
Hints/Comments: Trade for extra credits and focus on getting decent shields and engine tunings. Otherwise a very easy starting scenario.
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Start Locations: ,
Starting Race Ranks: Argon, Boron , Paranid , Split , Teladi , Terran/ATF, Goner
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